The end of 2008 and it can't come soon enough. Post #426 and it's a doozy.

Well, it's the last day of 2008 and this is my 426th post of the year.
It's been a great and crappy year all rolled into one.

There's the horror of the AEC industry depression, especially here in Florida. Who knew that selling mortgages to unqualified buyers could have such a vast impact on the world. It was fun while it lasted.

On the positive side, there's my own little building and implementation project, JR Arkin.

I'm sure you'll be seeing plenty more of JR on the blog in 2009. He's been great for our marketing department and he does inspire me to make the planet a better place, so you'll be seeing lots more about LEED here. JR reminds me a lot of clients starting with Revit. First you sit there, unable to move, crying and pooping in your pants. Then one day, you able to roll over and soon enough, you're crawling, but backwards. After a little of that, you can finally inch your way forward. It's quickly followed by crawling all around and you finally feel mobile. One day, you pull yourself up and then you're standing. You're still falling over and go back to crawling, but soon enough your cruising. You're almost there and now you're standing on your own, walking and finally your running around and never falling down. All of this in a few months.

I've come to realize that raising a child is like switching to Revit. It takes a lot of patience, guidance, hand holding, wiping tears, praise and ultimately, you have a Revit family.

So, with this, my final post of 2008, I'm really looking forward to a fresh start for 2009. There should be some great changes coming in the 2010 versions and I'm going to start focusing on some new topics.

2009 is going to be the year of the contractor. No other part of the industry is embracing BIM as much as contractors. I think it's time I start talking about what we've been doing this year with GCs and either your on board or you get left behind. That all ties into IPD and the whole change in workflow.

Someone did a google search this morning with the phrase "do you need to be an architect to use revit". I couldn't help but call them and have "the conversation". Turned out to be a large reprographics company. We were having a great conversation discussing what exactly BIM is. To be honest, every conversation, my answer changes. It's like describing the internet. Is it AOL, Firefox, Cisco, Google, email, youtube, facebook, twitter, exchange server, comcast, blackberry, 3g, ftp? It's all of those things and more. It's about what we can do with the information, data, collaboration, coordination, whether it's with email and ftp, or designing buildings.

So, I decide to explain it as little BIM, big BIM and BIM squared. Little BIM is when you use Revit and don't have any outside people using it. It could also be that you use it in a medium size firm, but don't use workset sharing. big BIM is when you're engaging your engineers to use the model and synchronize it with yours to do coordination and class detection. BIM squared is IPD. Everyone's not only use Revit, but they want to all use it and work together on the project. (Here's a post about a book by the same title)

So, that's where we're at on this last day of 2008. How do we get from little BIM to BIM squared. Part of the conversation I've been having since having gotten back from AU is workflow.

Current workflow is very linear. You do your work, give it to the next guy, pass it on to the engineer, he gives it to his drafter and so on down the line. Not all of the mistakes, changes and corrections go back to the person before them. I think it's indicative of the majority of firms' workflows now.

I see the only future for the AEC industry is almost a design/build process. The problem with design build, is that in most cases, the architect designs it, then the contractor builds it. Of course the contractor is in there early on and working with the architect, but in an AutoCAD world, the amount of time it takes to make changes is way too long and not everything makes it onto every sheet. CAD is not conducive to Design/Build.

Then there's what I call "Design to Build". It's almost like Design/Build, but a few minor differences. One, it's all done in Revit and BIM. Two, everyone's involved from the beginning. Architects, contractors, subscontractors, lighting consultants and everyone else who knows how it needs to be built.

Of course, BIM is a centralized and everyone sharing the same database and sees the changes immediately and everyone naturally has all the latest data and information to do what they're paid for, work together to build a building for the owner.

You see, in my humble opinion, a set of CDs is very simple. Construction Documents are Documents for Construction. You should be able to hand a roll of blueprints to the contractor and never have to talk to him during the entire construction process. Yeah, I know, never happens. Well, in a Design To Build world. it can and does happen. And there's even a special name for it. It's called Integrated Project Delivery.

So where do we end the year and end this post? 2009 is the year of the contractor. Why? Because when an architect says they don't need 3D software because they only work in 2D, the contractor has to build it in 3D. Every contractor I've spoken to this year either has Revit, is getting Revit, or is working with us to convert 2D CAD drawings into Revit models so they can build the buildings. Thus, the contractors are driving the Design to Build process. They're doing it. They're showing it to their owners and end of discussion.

I'm tired of trying to convince architects to switch to Revit. You're all grown ups. If you can't see it for yourselves, too bad. I'm spending the next 365 days focusing on working with General Contractors. In my company, we'll be doing CAD to BIM conversions, marketing, estimating, clash detection, analysis, scheduling and creating facilities management data. We created a new division in our company 6 months ago just for contractors and I've finally gotten clients who appreciate what Autodesk and CADD Centers offers. No more fighting over price or telling us we shouldn't charge for training. No more "we only need LT". If you don't already know it, I'm a third generation General Contractor. I fell into my job by accident, fate, luck and CAD Karma. I love nothing better than to be part of a thriving and emerging market.

And so I end 2008 with this last passionate rant about everything I belive in about BIM. I'm in the middle of a wonderfully depressing discussion about ACA versus Revit on an Augi forum. Take a look here and if you're using Revit, please let the comments fly. Apparently, I'm too vocal and insulting to AutoCAD users, but you can have some fun and state your opinions.

Happy New Year everyone. I think I'm going to take a few days off and renergize for next year's battles.

Let's hope 2008 is the end of the "line". Again, thank you all for reading my blog and I hope I do make a difference in your life. Please recommend the blog to your friends. Read more...

Vico and Trimble Integrate Workflows and Use BIM to Construct Better Buildings

Vico and Trimble Integrate Workflows and Use BIM to Construct Better Buildings: "Vico Software and Trimble Integrate Workflows and Use Building Information Models to Construct Better Building

Integrated Solution Allows Contractors to Transfer the Accuracy of BIM to the Final Construction Implementation

Sunnyvale, Calif. and Boulder, CO - November 13, 2008 - Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) and Vico Software, Inc. today announced the workflow integration of the Vico 5D Virtual ConstructionTM Suite and Trimble construction layout solutions. Now contractors can create Building Information Models (BIM) in Vico's Virtual Construction software, export the data directly to the Trimble field layout solution and use the highly accurate data to lay out and construct complex buildings and structures.

Extending the Accuracy of BIM to the Field

BIM is transforming the way construction projects are planned and managed; however, the data from these models is not being maximized in the field. Traditional construction methods lose the accuracy of the 3D building model when implemented in the field. Valuable time and accuracy can be lost by manually scaling distances, calculating angles from plans, turning angles with theodolites and pulling tapes to measure distances.

To maintain the accuracy of BIM in the final building product, Trimble, Vico, and Tekla now make this information available for use by construction professionals to automate the layout, erection and construction of their projects.

'Precision placement of hangars and bracings is critical for safety and off-site material fabrication. This is a key component of successfully extending BIM to subcontractors and field crews,' said Mark Sawyer, CEO and President from Vico. 'We've seen first-hand how successful the integration is at St. Joseph's Mission Hospital in southern California. We're very pleased with the advantages this partnership delivers to customers.'

'This workflow integration with Vico provides a significant opportunity for contractors to improve productivity,' said Pat Bohle, general manager for Building Construction at Trimble. 'Now, they can leverage the data from their BIM to physically construct the building. With this integration, there is less time wasted on inefficient layout of the building plan and less waste of materials due to re-work and overages.'" Read more...

The shape of things to come in building information modelling - Building Design

Blah Blah Blah, BIM, BIM, BIM. I'm almost completely bored. Why does every one of these BIM articles say the same thing. OK. We get it. BIM is better. So, why do so many architects, engineers, drafters, CAD Managers and IT Managers refuse to see the light or ignore the technology?

We were having a conversation in our office this morning about a particular government entity that created so many processes, rules and guidelines for their old software, that they have no idea how to take their manual checks and balances and incorporate them into their new parametric software. The discussion was about how these particular government employees would never embrace new technology because of the job security. They did a certain amount of work per day and nothing could make them be more productive. Five people with the new technology could replace 25 set in their ways workers. I asked wouldn't they want the new technology because it would make their jobs easier. No. No. No. Don't change a thing and never embrace new technology. I kept running into brick walls in the discussion. The worst part is that the government is requiring the same archaic processes for commercial firms working with that governmental entity. Arghhhh!!!

Ultimately, I'm really pissed off because our taxes pay for government employees and they are shunning technology for job security. We must educate the higher ups in government to make our tax dollars work better. The federal government has embraced BIM, so hopefully it will trickle down to the state and local levels. Wouldn't we want more efficiency so we can get more projects designed and started sooner so there's more work for all of us. Wouldn't we want to do everything we can to stop those from impeding the design process and do what we can get the AEC industry back on track as quickly as possible?

Anyway, enough ranting. Here. Read another article about BIM. For those of you already using Revit, I'm sorry you have to keep reading these posts. If only we could have a global intervention with "The Others."

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"19 December 2008 By Anna Winston" http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=3130336

A new era of collaborative design and project management could be ushered in by building information modelling

It has been talked about in hushed tones by the more IT-minded architects and construction industry professionals for 20 years or more. BIM, or building information modelling, has long been hailed as the next generation of computer-aided design, offering the capability to create an easily altered 3D model of a building, and the opportunity to make that model intelligent."

In Singapore, BIM models are now mandatory as part of the planning process, and are uploaded into a central model. In January, they will also become mandatory in Denmark.

Pete Baxter, Autodesk sales director and architecture specialist, says BIM could now begin to make its mark in the UK, with better technology offering a new approach to cost management and project efficiency. Baxter, who qualified as an architect just as the recession of the early nineties hit, is one of BIM’s proselytizing evangelists.

Continue reading the article: The shape of things to come in building information modelling - Building Design:

Read more...

Documented BIM Advantages Tell Savings Story | Construction Informer

My New Year's resolution is going to be to not say anything bad about cruddy 2D current methodology, drafting software that is limited in functionality and driven by manually intensive mouse clicking and command line input or software that cannot be used to coordinate, collaborate, analysis or design buildings. Oh, I will try to not say anything bad about AutoCAD either. In the meantime, I just came across this in doing some research on BIM ROI and thought it'd be good for those of you looking to make your New Year's resolution to be migrating to Revit. Cheers.

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From Documented BIM Advantages Tell Savings Story | Construction Informer: Published by DCraig

"It’s always interesting to see some statistics that back up claims about products and processes. The enthusiasm over Building Information Modeling (BIM) has often been punctuated by claims that are drawn from logic and extrapolation rather than actual experience.

Holder Construction built the recently-opened Aquarium Hilton Garden project in downtown Atlanta finishing it in March 2008. According to a press release put out by Vico Software, makers of 5D Virtual Construction software and attendant services, the project achieved some collaborative and economic results.

Everyone on the team had the chance to literally walk-thru the building before a bucket of dirt was moved. But where the process really hit some savings was in the reduction of change orders by eliminating “collisions” that result from design discrepancies. You are all familiar with them, and some of them sound like this when the people doing the work are bringing them to your attention:

HVAC needs to move the duct work three inches to the left so we can get a conduit through there.

By using BIM for this project it is claimed that 590 collisions were avoided and that saved $800,000.

I’ll bet a lot of people got new tape measures out of that deal."

Read more...

The Energy Challenge - No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in Innovative ‘Passive Houses’ - Series - NYTimes.com

"December 27, 2008
The Energy Challenge
No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in ‘Passive Houses’
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL

DARMSTADT, Germany — From the outside, there is nothing unusual about the stylish new gray and orange row houses in the Kranichstein District, with wreaths on the doors and Christmas lights twinkling through a freezing drizzle. But these houses are part of a revolution in building design: There are no drafts, no cold tile floors, no snuggling under blankets until the furnace kicks in. There is, in fact, no furnace."

The concept of the passive house, pioneered in this city of 140,000 outside Frankfurt, approaches the challenge from a different angle. Using ultrathick insulation and complex doors and windows, the architect engineers a home encased in an airtight shell, so that barely any heat escapes and barely any cold seeps in. That means a passive house can be warmed not only by the sun, but also by the heat from appliances and even from occupants’ bodies.

And in Germany, passive houses cost only about 5 to 7 percent more to build than conventional houses.

Decades ago, attempts at creating sealed solar-heated homes failed, because of stagnant air and mold. But new passive houses use an ingenious central ventilation system. The warm air going out passes side by side with clean, cold air coming in, exchanging heat with 90 percent efficiency.

Continue reading: The Energy Challenge - No Furnaces but Heat Aplenty in Innovative ‘Passive Houses’ - Series - NYTimes.com:
Read more...

I just got an email with this from Tocci Construction about their IPD project with Autodesk.

I just got this email greeting card and had to share it with all of you.

G eneral Contactor
R evit
I ntegrated Project
Delivery
N o RFIs
C oordination
H appy Customer

I want to thank all my readers and subscribers for your continued support. I hope I can do all I can in the coming year to keep you informed, amused and profitable.



I wish you all happy holidays, stay warm where ever you may be and may all of your projects in 2009 be done in Revit.

Gregory
PS. Revitus for the rest of us.




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Importing Civil3D DWG into Revit - The Revit Clinic: It’s a Revit world and everyone else is living in it…

http://revitclinic.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/09/its-a-revit-world-and-everyone-else-is-living-in-it.html
Harlan Brumm 9/18/08

We often get questions about transferring data from Revit to other Autodesk applications. There are many workflows out there that you can go through. One that is very interesting to me is taking a Civil 3D site model and using it in Revit for your topographic surface. It’s also a challenge that seems to be coming more and more prevalent and one that many Architects face while working in Revit. So how do you take a Civil Engineers Site design and bring it into Revit?

...

All a Civil 3D users really needs to do is save the Civil file and send it off to the Architect. The Architect can then link that file into Revit and create a site using the site tools in Revit Architecture (more on site tools later). The one limitation with this process is that the civil Engineer needs to set a system variable in Civil 3D so that Revit Architecture can read all the Civil Data. Setting proxygraphics equal to 1 in Civil 3D and then saving the drawing will let the Architect see all the Civil stuff in Revit Architecture.

...

The next step is importing this surface into Revit Architecture and using it to create a Topographic surface. For this a video works pretty well so watch it by clicking here.

Continue Reading the tutorial:
The Revit Clinic: It’s a Revit world and everyone else is living in it… Read more...

As if I didn't have enough on my plate right now....

Several things have transpired that have caused some changes in my life.

First of course is my son JR, here in his newest photo, all dressed up with his box of Revit. He's so happy and such a good baby, it's nearly impossible to ever leave the house and go to work.

But, as work goes, our Civil 3D salesperson recently retired, so guess who has to learn and sell Autodesk's "other BIM product?" Yup, you guessed it, me. So, on top of everything I'm working on with Revit, LEED, BIM and now IPD, I've have to learn everything about Autodesk's Civil products.

So, I thought, what better way to teach myself, than to teach others at the same time. Introducing my newest blog, www.CivilWized.com. Yeah, I know what all you Revit users are thinking, who cares, it's just dirt. Well, guess what? I thought the same thing too. I spent a day last week with an Autodesk Civil Expert, and boy, was I surprised. It's 3D modeling software for Civil Engineers and you know what else, it has hydrology analysis tools. Hy-what? LEED tools. Sustainable design for the stuff your buildings sit on top of.

Just think, if you're short on your LEED Platinum points, you can just ask the Civil Engineer to whip up a 3D model and reuse all the water that's on the property. Now, on top of needing Revit Structure and Revit MEP engineers, you'll also want to start working with Civil 3D engineers. Oh, almost forgot, the Surveyors and Land Planners will want it too, or they can just use AutoCAD Civil. It's Civil 3D without hydrology and mapping tools, but it's the same 3D modeling software. The surveyors can laser scan in all the surface points and give you a perfectly modeled piece of property to build on. You can also bring your Revit Model into Civil 3D or the Civil 3D model into Revit. It's your choice.

So, if you're ever bored with Revit or want to get your civil engineers on board, send them to CivilWized.com. My original domain name for Revit was www.BIMWit.com (which redirects here anyhow). So you can be a BIMwit and CivilWized.

Lastly, for all my email subscribers, a couple of things. Stop by the site for just a minute. I've not only made it much prettier, I've even changed the picture at the top, so it's much nicer to look at and find stuff. Let me know what you think since you only see this in your email.

I'm trying to build up my subscriber list in anticipation of 2010 releases. I'd like you to click this link and forward it on to friends, colleagues, engineers and other Revit users or prospects. In the link is a bcc to me. I'm going to give away two prizes, one for the most referalls and a second random drawing, so please take a minute to do this. Email to a friend link.

Oh, I almost forgot, one of my readers who found me today searched google for "revit blog". For the heck of it, I googled it myself and, drum roll please, my blog came up 5th out of 483,000. Wow! I guess all my hard work is paying off. Now, i just hope that I can do as much with www.civilwized.com. http://www.google.com/search?q=revit+blog Read more...

GoStructural.com - Integrated project delivery in practice: New concepts of improving value for structural engineers

Hmmm, this IPD stuff is getting a lot of attention. I wonder why?

GoStructural.com Feature Article | Posted: Monday, December 01, 2008
Bob Middlebrooks, AIA

Make no mistake about it. Today's structural engineers—together with their colleagues in the architectural and construction industries—face unique challenges and a myriad of opportunities. Construction inefficiencies and systems pitting design professionals against contractors have forced owners to demand a better system of project delivery.

The coupling of building information modeling (BIM) with integrated project delivery (IPD) now enables a level of collaboration that not only improves efficiency and reduces errors, but also enables exploration of alternative approaches and expansion of market opportunities. The result of this merging of new processes with technologies promises to greatly enhance the value and reputation of the structural engineer.

With buildings and infrastructure subject to natural disasters, terrorism, increasing design complexity, as well as natural wear and tear, structural engineering as we know it is growing more important. BIM has started to transform the way many structural engineering firms do business, directly influencing their rapidly evolving practices. Less visible, and no less important, however, is the collaborative potential of combining BIM and IPD.

Click here to view this article in the Structural Engineer e-zine

Original Source: GoStructural.com - Integrated project delivery in practice: New concepts of improving value for structural engineers Read more...

SmartMarket Report on Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Wow, a 48 page report on BIM! 2D design is dead. 2.5D design was never really implemented. Long live BIM and IPD, 3, 4 and 5D. This is a MUST READ report. We're beyond the point of no return as the AEC industry must make this transition in order to be successful and profitable. Forget what you've done for the last 25 years. I'm so happy this report validates everything BIMWits have been saying. My question for today is, is it too late for those who haven't made the switch yet? Secret answer: No if you let us help you with training and implementation. Yes, for those of you who still think AutoCAD is all you need.

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Survey respondents attribute ROIs of 300% to 500% to BIM implementation.

In 2008, 45% of users report that they are utilizing BIM tools at moderate levels or higher. Next year, 62% of BIM users will use it on more than 30% of their projects; and nearly half (45%) of all current adopters will advance to become heavy BIM users (using it on at least 60% of projects), up from 35% this year.

Download the FREE PDF!

Building Information Modeling (BIM): Transforming Design and Construction to Achieve Greater Industry Productivity is a 45-page printed report (available as hard copy or PDF) that examines the results of research conducted by McGraw-Hill Construction Analytics regarding perceptions among BIM users about BIM adoption, implementation, value and impact within their firms. The study sheds light on the role of BIM in reshaping the way project teams work together in today's industry.

The report is based on extensive interviews with hundreds of owners, architects, civil, structural and MEP engineers, construction managers, general contractors and trade contractors who are currently using BIM. The goal of the research was to examine perceptions of BIM users and also measure perspectives on the developing elements of a BIM infrastructure and the use of BIM on green building projects.

Findings show that BIM use is growing rapidly in the industry, and increased adoption is leading to greater understanding of the benefits and value of using BIM.

Topics in the report:

Building Information Modeling Market Summary, Adoption of BIM, Case Study: PCL Construction, Usage of BIM, Case Study: Springfield Literacy Center, Introduction to BIM: SmartMarket Report Special Section, Interview with Phil Bernstein, Vice President, Autodesk, Inc., Value of Using BIM, Case Study: Crate & Barrel, Impact of BIM on Internal and External Processes, Case Study: UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute, BIM Infrastructure, Conclusions, Resources and Methodology,

The BIM SmartMarket Report shows that the BIM revolution is affecting firms in many ways. Major findings include:

* BIM promotes a more collaborative environment,
 and users recognize a need to rethink roles and
 workflow.
* 72% of users have had at least a moderate impact
 on their internal project processes, and two-thirds
 report that BIM has had at least a moderate impact
 on external project processes.
* Half of users perceive BIM to have had a very
 positive impact on their companies; only 7% report
 a negative impact.
* Most BIM users (73%) are at least moderately
 involved in green building projects and find BIM to
 be helpful with those projects. For example, BIM
 tools can be used to analyze the performance of
 energy efficiency elements and sustainable materials.

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BIM Drives Integrated Project Delivery
As contractors and design professionals continue to accelerate BIM adoption, the benefits of collaboration and integration of information will become increasingly compelling. Efficiencies achieved by firms deploying BIM solely within their own sphere will be multiplied when they begin integrating with other modelers.
This will shift the focus of the entire industry from technology adoption to process reinvention, and the tools will adapt to support this perspective.

Read more...

Sigma-X Bridge and Structural Engineering Software - Section Property Calculator - Post Tension Design and Analysis Software

19 September 2008

Sigma-X Post Tension Floor now integrates seamlessly with Autodesk Revit Structure. This allows Sigma-X Post Tension Floor to be used in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) environment that is quickly becoming the standard for structural engineers.

Either Revit Structure or Sigma-X Post Tension Floor can be used to model (pre process) the building. Sigma-X Post Tension Floor can then be used to analyse (process) and view results (post process) for the design of the post tensioned floors of that building. Results maybe exported back to Revit Structure for detailing.

Full bidirectional integration exists between both products this means that the task of analysing, designing and detailing post tensioned floors using Sigma-X Post Tension Floor is straight forward, extremely efficient and fully transparent.

Site Link:
Sigma-X Bridge and Structural Engineering Software - Section Property Calculator - Post Tension Design and Analysis Software:

Read more...

Revit Structure Plug-in

GSA now includes a bi-directional link between Revit Structure 2008/2009 and GSA. With this Revit users can transfer model information between Revit and GSA with minimal loss of data.

Options are accessed from the External Tools menu within Revit Structure including:

• Export a Revit model to GSA
• Update changes made in GSA back into the Revit model
• Update changes made in Revit back into the GSA model
• Create a new Revit model from GSA

The following elements are transferred while exporting a model from Revit to GSA:

• Revit Levels translate to GSA grid planes
• Revit Grids translate to GSA grid lines
• Revit beams and columns are transferred as GSA members
• Revit floors and slabs form GSA areas

The model can be exported as a whole or as a selected sub-set. There is option to coordinate with the GSA analysis layer, though coordination with the GSA design layer is encouraged (as the design data is less likely to require re-working).

Coordination of Revit and GSA objects is maintained throughout the bi-directional process, with extra data on either side being preserved.

Details of the transfer are recorded and reported, to give confidence in the data that has been coordinated, to identify any assumptions that may have been made, and to alert users of any failures in the process.

Oasys steel, concrete and general standard sections can be loaded into Revit models. Referencing Oasys sections in the Revit model results in strong coordination between the Revit and GSA sections during data transfer.

To add the GSA plug-in into Revit, simply install GSA on a computer that has Revit Structure already installed. Note that the Revit computer does not require a GSA license to work. If you cannot find the GSA link in Revit Structure, check in the GSA Tips and Tricks for guidance

http://www.oasys-software.com/products/structural/gsa/functional_specs/revit.shtml

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Crap. Me and my big mouth

I was just invited to give a 2 hour lecture at an CSI Conference in West Palm Beach on February 18th. Geez, two blog posts and now I'm an expert on IPD?

At least I have two months to procrasti...uh..prepare for the lecture and my victims will get 2 HSW credits for attending. Apparently the AIA now requires 4 hours of sustainable design hours. I suppose I'll be giving my lecture to a lot of architects in Florida over the next 3 years. Lucky me that Integrated Project Delivery falls under the Sustainable category. I'll be signing auutographs in the lobby after the show.

http://aia.org/ces_sustainabledesignrequirements
NEW! Sustainable Design Becomes a Mandatory Continuing Education Requirement for AIA Membership

The AIA Board of Directors modified the AIA — member continuing education requirement to include 4 hours of education in sustainable design as part of the existing 18 — hour annual requirement. This sustainable design requirement goes into effect in calendar year 2009 and extends through 2012.

Sustainable design is achieved through an integrated design and delivery process that enhances the natural and built environment by using energy sensibly with a goal toward carbon neutrality, improves air and water quality, protects and preserves water and other resources, and creates environments, communities and buildings that are livable, comfortable, productive, diverse, safe and beautiful to stir our imagination.

Read more...

Just a little personal Junior Revit update.

Here's the latest photo of my son JR. He's 10 months and 2 weeks old and he loves Revit.

He started walking 2 weeks and 3 days ago. When I say walking, I mean unassisted, walk across the room, not holding on to anything walking.

It reminds me of a new firm switching to Revit. First you stare at the monitor and poop in your pants....and that's just from seeing the invoice (just kidding). Next comes crawling backwards, then crawling forwards, sitting up, standing and then walking. Before you know, you're running with Revit. It all happens within a few short months.

My wife says to just pretend he's a normal average baby, but today he grabbed my cellphone, put it up to his ear and said "hi".

I'm trying to get him to say "Revit", and you can be sure there will be a blog post and video the minute that happens.

Next step is teaching him to use a mouse so he can make his own Revit models. He's a special part of my Revit family and hopefully you non Revit users will learn it before he does. You're running out of time.
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I must be IPDreaming....

I must admit that after almost 4 years of selling Revit, I'm bored. It just hasn't been as challenging as it used to be. Perhaps because when I started, no one had heard of Revit. Now, if you haven't heard of Revit, you're from another planet. Everyone's aware of it, even though many still don't think there's a fit for them.


Well, fast forward to last week to Phil Bernstein's IPD lecture in Miami. It's funny because in the last week, everyone I talk to about IPD has never heard of it. Yeah. Another challenge to share with the masses. I'm loving everything about IPD and I'm fascinated by the research I've been doing on it and it's potential effects on the AEC industry. More changes for everyone...and now maybe even some profit.


Since you're all going to have to answer a lot of owners' questions about IPD, at least you can start paying attention to it.


First, there's one of my favorite blogs, bimx.blogspot.com by Laura Handler. She's with Tocci Construction and was involved in the Autodesk IPD project in Waltham, MA.


Here's a link to a post she just wrote
http://bimx.blogspot.com/2008/12/design-build-v-ipd.html. Once you figure out Revit, and then figure out BIM, then it's time to figure out IPD. One of the topics I've been discussing for the last few weeks is "Design/Build".


In a design build scenario using Autocad, not matter when the contractor gets involved, it takes months to get all the design changes into the construction documents. I think design/build can only really work well when you're using BIM products like Revit Arch/Str/MEP to facilitate design changes.


My opinion, is that when you're using Revit in the process, you can call it "Design TO Build". But it goes a step further. Designing a building to help construct it, is not something an architect willingly does. In a conversation today, I asked an architect if he knew the average number of square feet of concrete a contractor could pour a day. He said he didn't know. I told him it's about 8 to 10 thousand SF per day and asked him if he would ever design a building around that criteria. I also asked him would he care how much concrete was poured a day. He said yes, because you have to be careful where a cold joint would end up, but it's not his job to make those decisions.


If you leave all the decisions up to the contractor, you
reduce your liablity, responsibility and profitabilty. Enter Integrated Project Delivery. Design to Build as I call it.

From Laura's post today "With IPD, the owner gets the relational benefits of a design-build contract with the richness of diversity found in a traditional team."

Now read this post http://bimx.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-ipd-works.html.
Next, read about the Autodesk project that Tocci and Kling Stubbins did together with Autodesk: http://bimx.blogspot.com/search/label/Autodesk%20Project
It's a great story and Laura did a great job documenting it on her blog.

Tocci & KlingStubbins, as a team, were recently awarded Autodesk's new AEC Headquarters. The project has a new Integrated Project Delivery contract model where the architect, contractor and owner sign one contract. The process will be very BIM-centric and prescribes model relationships fairly intensively.

When you finish all that reading it's off to http://bimandipd.blogspot.com/

After that try this http://www.ipd-ca.net/IPD%20Articles%20and%20Press%20Releases.htm

Here are the AIA doc$: http://www.aiacontractdocuments.org/ipd/

AIA California's documents http://www.ipd-ca.net/IPD%20Basic%20Principles.htm

Last, here's a quick 4 minute video on the subject: http://www.aiacc.org/site/docs/aiaipd.wmv

Let's summarize and take a short quiz:

Integrated Project Delivery calls for earlier and on-going cooperation among all stakeholders on a construction project, including the owner, architect, contractor, subcontractors, suppliers, equipment manufacturers, system integrators and lenders. One key of the Integrated Project Delivery is creating compensation structures that rewards "best for project" behavior. Here is the working definition of "Integrated Project Delivery," which will be elaborated on in later phases of the document:

Integrated Project Delivery ("IPD") is a project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to reduce waste and optimize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication and construction.

IPD principles can be applied to a variety of contractual arrangements and IPD teams will usually include members well beyond the basic triad of owner, architect and contractor. At a minimum though, an Integrated Project includes tight collaboration between the owner, the architect, and the general contractor ultimately responsible for the construction of the project, from early design through project handover.

The collaborative approach of IPD is both groundbreaking and laudable. It will be interesting to see how soon this approach might be utilitized.

Oh yeah, IPD doesn't work very well with AutoCAD, but I bet you already figured that one out.

Had enough? There's plenty more coming. IPD = BIM^2.

Like I said at the beginning, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Workflows, processes, software, technology, training, implementation, education and who knows what else is all changing.

I wonder if Revit was never created, if IPD would have ever seen the light of day and left the theories of a classroom discussion. I'm working on becoming an expert on the topic so I can give a class on it at next year's AU. Wish me luck.

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The Revit Clinic- Worksharing from home with Revit

From: The Revit Clinic: Harlan Brumm 12/11/08

Worksharing is a great tool within Revit products for working on a model with multiple users. It allows individuals to work on files and save those changes back to a central file. It typically requires two things, a Central file located in a place where all users have access and a local file on your local machine for working in.

The question is how can someone take a project home and work on it? While working in Wisconsin, I found a need to be able to take work home with me over the weekend as I am sure a lot of Architects and Engineers have had to do. With AutoCAD it was easy, just take the files home and work and bring them back Monday and replace the originals. How does it work with Revit when worksharing is involved?"

keeping reading: http://revitclinic.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/12/sharing-from-home.html Read more...

A little blurb from a post in RevitUp Blog

Robert A., this one's for you...

From http://revit-up.blogspot.com/2008/12/aec-keynote-at-autodesk-university.html

RevitUp:
"he showed similar new freeform design tools right inside Revit. In the brief demo, you could see that the next release of Revit will most likely incorporate a ribbon bar interface similar to what was introduced in AutoCAD 2009. But as the designer worked in the new freeform modeling environment in Revit, the interface automatically changed and adapted to what he was doing, rather than having to switch tools and open the Element Properties dialog box."

Stay tuned...

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Autodesk - Building Information Modeling - Integrated Project Delivery

I have seen the future and it is wonderful. Wednesday night I had the opportunity to sit in on a lecture presented by Phil Bernstein of Autodesk. Phil worked with my father on Cesar Pelli's Performing Arts Center in Miami, so he had fun calling on me several times during his Integrated Project Delivery lecture in Miami, sponsored by my company CADD Centers of Florida and Autodesk. If you've never heard Phil speak, it is a wondrous experience. It's not about the software, but about the process and workflow of the AEC industry. I will be spending much more time in the future blogging about IPD, as it is the future and salvation of the AEC industry. You may not believe that now, and after watching the looks on the faces of the attendees, it does seem so far fetched. Autodesk is wrapping up the construction of their own renovation of a building in Waltham, MA. I asked a few questions during the lecture just so everyone could really see the depths of this new concept.

I asked Phil how many RFIs were on the project. His answer, Zero! The architect sitting next to me said "Impossible. There's no way. You can't have a project with no RFIs. I don't believe it." And then his head exploded as he spontaneously combusted. Then I asked about the MEP engineer. I asked Phil how many Revit MEP projects they had done before. Even I was shocked to hear that it was their first Revit MEP project. Phil also talked about the fact that only one set of blueprints was ever printed out. That was for the building department. Everyone worked off the model in the field on computers. I will get into more of this in future posts, but for the moment, YOU MUST READ EVERYTHING BELOW! This is where the industry is going. First there was Revit, then there was BIM and now there is IPD. It is BIM squared. If you can outlast the construction depression in t

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Integrated Project Delivery

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is encouraging and enabling the vital practice of early collaboration through building information modeling, (BIM). IPD helps exceed increasing client demands by easing and integrating the collaborative efforts of owners, architects, engineers, construction managers, fabricators, and end operators at the earliest possible stage of any project.

Discover IPD Wondering how Integrated Project Delivery works? Download this pdf to view an informative example of its five integral phases. IPD Workflow.pdf (pdf - 1552Kb)

Integrated Project Delivery Event – New York City, Jun 2008

On June 4th, 2008, Autodesk hosted an executive event in New York City that brought together owner representatives, design practitioners, engineers, and construction professionals for an examination into Integrated Project Delivery workflows and building information modeling. These recordings capture presentations from Phil Bernstein, Vice President for Industry Strategy and Relations, Autodesk, Inc. and Harold Goldberg, Esq., Principal, Goldberg, Pike & Besche, P.C. and outside legal counsel to the AIA.

• Listen to Phil Bernstein (m4v format - 24 MB) (it's a quicktime file, but you can right click and save it as .mp3 file so it will open in Windows Media Player)
• Listen to Howard Goldberg (m4v format - 22 MB) (see above note)

Integrated Project Delivery: Guide and Definition

IPD is set to fundamentally change the way projects are delivered by optimizing stakeholder collaboration at all levels and at every stage. This guide and definition from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) shows how.

Read A Guide to Integrated Project Delivery at aia.org

Working Definition of IPD.pdf (pdf - 245Kb) © copyright, American Institute of Architects California Council, 2007

BIM & IPD - The White Paper

Within the building industry there is a growing interest in integrated project delivery (IPD) and the role building information modeling (BIM) can play in promoting integration among building professionals and improving design outcomes. This whitepaper examines IPD and considers its impact on the building industry—and how BIM is central to process changes that IPD will bring.

BIM & IPD White Paper.pdf (pdf - 573Kb)

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Finally!

I have finally changed the look of my blog. I was the first to admit how ugly the colors were and I took the plunge to upload a new blog template. I need to clean up the menus and add some of the items that got lost in the transition, but it should be a little more functional and load faster.

On the bright side, I do have over 800 pages of information to date. I'm thinking of making a monthly PDF available for downloading. Thank you for putting up with the look of my blog.

Thank you to the blog readers I met at AU who were kind enough to tell me they liked the blog and didn't mention the color scheme. Read more...

I almost invented a new word today - Errorgance

I was talking with a mechanical engineer today who used to be in the architectural field. He left 2 years ago and now designs phosphate piping systems. We were having a discussion about Inventor, Solidworks and Solid Edge, which program is currently the best and where he could get training.

I was telling him that one of my best Revit instructors used to teach Inventor and Solidworks, but I yanked him away and threw him into the world of parametric modeling for architecture. We discussed how Revit got its start. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but apparently one of the people at ProE was having a very expensive home built and it was taking forever and there were a lot of mistakes on the plans. So, he asked the architect what software he was using and went to visit the architect to see. He couldn't believe how archaic the 2D CAD system was compared to what ProE did for mechanical engineering. That gave him the idea to start Revit, the first parametric modeling software for architecture.

Further on in the conversation, the gentelman I was speaking to mentioned how arrogant the last architect he worked with was. I was thinking about errors and blurted out. "Ha. I've invented a new word, 'Errorgance'. Someone who makes mistakes but won't admit it. Being a general contractor, I knew exactly what profession comes to mind, but I won't mention it here.

Unfortunately, even though in my own world, that's one of the best words I've invented, Mr. Google says others have used it before. Fortunately, google only has 1,190 search results, so I guess with this post, I'm officially 1,191. Yipee. Here are some other definitions I found out in the ether.

errorgance (er´ur guns), n. a feeling of smug superiority over those who do not share one's own erroneous or misguided convictions: The president's errorgance alienated most of the Western world.

Errorgance Mistaken presumptions of superiority.

Why did I even bring up Revit to a mechanical engineer who was looking for Inventor training? I'll post that answer tomorrow. Read more...

Autodesk IPD Presentation by Phil Bernstein of Autodesk - Last chance to register for 12/10/08 in Miami

Over 65 people are already registered. Just wanted to give you a last chance to sign up.
It's going to be a very interesting discussion about the future of AEC workflow and BIM.


Direct link: www.autodesk.com/ipd-miami.

Join us for an Exclusive Executive Engagement!

Be among a select group of senior representatives from Southern Florida and the neighboring region’s leading owner representative, architecture, engineering, and construction firms to participate in an event that will explore the issues and opportunities around building information modeling (BIM) and integrated workflows.

Your host, Phil Bernstein, Autodesk Vice President, will lead a highly interactive discussion that will examine such issues as:

• The state of current project delivery workflows
• The business implications of alternative project delivery constructs
• BIM: what it means to integrated project delivery and sustainable design practices

Seating is limited. Register today!

General Event Information

Date:
December 10, 2008

Host:
Phil Bernstein, FAIA, RIBA, LEED® AP, Autodesk Vice President for Industry Strategy and Relations.

Guest Speaker:
John Moebes, Director of Construction, Crate & BarrelLocation:
Miami Mart Airport Hotel
711 NW 72nd Avenue
Miami, Florida 33126 Read more...

Energy efficiency high on Obama stimulus plan | Green Tech - CNET News

From the "I told you so department", President-Elect Obama announced this yesterday.

Energy efficiency high on Obama stimulus plan | Green Tech - CNET News: "'First, we will launch a massive effort to make public buildings more energy-efficient. Our government now pays the highest energy bill in the world. We need to change that. We need to upgrade our federal buildings by replacing old heating systems and installing efficient light bulbs,' he said in his radio address.

He also pledged to make federal money available to rebuild roads, upgrade schools to be energy efficient, and expand broadband access to schoolchildren.

The energy plan is expected to include a commitment to upgrade the electricity distribution infrastructure. By equipping the grid with communications network--the essence of smart grid technology--utilities can run the power grid more efficiently and consumers can get information to help lower energy usage."

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A new beginning

After 4 days of interacting with Autodesk, experts, presenters, users, vendors and more Australians than I've ever met at one time in my life, I have come two conclusions.

The first is that I've been right all along about Revit, BIM and all of my thoughts and actions have been validated by talking to others on the same path.

The second conclusion is that I now feel like I know nothing about BIM. That's the result if sitting in some pretty intense classes at Autodesk University 2008. Now I understand the emphasis on the word 'University'.

Let me give you a little explanation about BIM. You are driving in the desert at night. It is pitch black out. Your headlights are off, but you are holding a small flashlight out the window. You have no idea what is in front of you. Cliffs, rocks, debris, hills, bumps, trees, logs, stumps and more could all be right in front of you. You must drive slowly and cautiously using your flashlight to pick your way through the dark unknown.

But, there are also 350,000 other people in that same dark desert. Some coming towards you, others moving away, some parallel to you and others right in front of you. Each of your flashlights uncovering pieces of that big black BIM unknown. Together, you all move forward towards daylight and that future is very bright indeed.

This is what I have now discovered on my own four year journey with Revit and BIM. I know what I know. You know what you know. Some of us are further down the road and others haven't even gotten into their cars yet. The most important thing I learned at AU wasn't from the classes. They're recorded and can be watched anytime. It was my meetings, interactions and random conversations. AU, AUGI, the blogger's social, forums, blogs,you, me and all the others sources of information are all working together to figure out how to learn, use and make advancements in the AEC industry with this glorious new technology. Sure, Revit isn't perfect. There isn't enough content (Andekan/Broutek is solving that one), ACA still hasn't died a quiet death, AutoCAD users still fight the future with their archaic line drawings and layer system.

After sitting in a room with a thousand other Revit fanatics, I know that Revit/BIM is going to be the winner in the very near future.

Its not just the software, but its more about the process and how we share the information, who we share it with, when the consultants are brought in and how we design, analyze and construct buildings. Everyone uses Revit a different way. BIM is about the process of sharing data. That's part of the great unknown as we uncover the best ways of using Revit, third party software (for which I am grateful that I sell all of them), the hardware and all of the people involved along the way that MUST change and adopt NEW ways of working and interacting.

My vision is that the only way that the AEC industry can evolve into a tecnologically efficient system is through the Design/Build process. Whether it is contractors with inhouse architects and engineers, contractors partnering with external A/E consultants or architects who only work with Revit Structure and Revit MEP engineers and BIM Builders, the current workflow of an architecture firm using AutoCAD is now officially impeding the design and construction process.

What I have seen and learned at AU2008 confirms this only because so many others are saying and doing the same thing. There are billions to be made in this new BIM world and I challenge you to find an architecture firm using AutoCAD making more money than a firm using Revit.

Thus starts my new beginning with my blog. I have so much to learn about the process of BIM. I will endeavour to share it with you. I only have two favors to ask of you in return. The first is to give me feedback to what I say and share with you here. The other is that I need your business in order to continue to grow my own business and help you make money. The more you invest in my company, the more I can share with all of my readers to get you to the new dawn of BIM faster and safer.

With all that being said, I look forward to working with each and every one of you. Thank you.
Gregory

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#AU2008 Reflections of an AU Blogger and Bimmer

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone here at AU, Autodesk for their software, AUGI for working so hard on putting this event together,everyone I've met here for listening to me babble about BIM, Jose for your continued partnership and vision, all of my software partners who I finally got to meet in person, Andekan (Formerly Broutek), Reed, Trelligence, e-SPECS, IES, Adapx, all my new partners who I will talk about as soon as our contracts are signed and whoever cooked meals for 9,000 people.

Matt, Gary, Jason, Arie, Paul,Kathy, Candace, Kevin, David, Steve, Elias, Richard, George, all the tweeters and everyone else I can't remember at 6:30 AM, it was great meeting you, speaking with you, drinking with you, sharing our BIM vision, partnering, learning from each other, and spending this great focused quality time together.

Finally, thank you every new person who came to my site during AU, and yes that really is the license plate on my car. Everyone looks at my revit3d.com business card funny. Thanks for stopping by my site. I am having an amazing time here and I am do happy to know there are so many Revit users out there who are so passionate about this technology. Now it's time to get ready for another really long day.

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Part 2: A New Beginning - Reflections on the future of the AEC industry:
http://bimboom.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-beginning.html

Click here to subscribe to my blog: Receive 2010 news and release dates before anyone else.

Special thanks to Shaan Hurley for his crosslink today
http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2008/12/autodesk-university-2008-reflections.html Read more...

Random Quotes - The Quotations Page

Random Quotes - The Quotations Page: "The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)"

While I'm here learning lots of new stuff at Autodesk University, I just want to thank everyone for reading my blog and all the great feedback I've gotten. I hope I've made a difference in your life and work. I know my approach is a little different, and sometimes I'm more vocal than I should be, but I really think this technology is important on a personal and global level.
Thank you.
Gregory

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CSI - Building Product Manufacturers Alliance

Another player in the Sustainable Design world

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Home - Membership - BPMA

BPMA Meeting Dec. 8-10, 2008! Topic: Energy Efficiency Energy Use in Green Business &Technology Pathways to Net Zero Energy Buildings Buildings & the Smart Electric Grid Benchmarking Building Performance The Next Wave of Building Performance Simulation Indoor Environmental Quality Integrating Building Facades & Daylighting Download the agenda (PDF) Register online! Click "Event Registration" above and browse the calendar! Download a registration form (PDF) Date: Dec. 8-10, 2008 Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is located at 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, Calif., on the hillside directly above the campus of the University of California at Berkeley. A tour of the this secured facility will be included in the meeting schedule. Group transportation will be provided between the hotel and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Current US photo ID will be required for access to LBNL. Participants must ride CSI BPMA group bus to access the LBNL meeting site. Hotel: Claremont Resort & Spa, 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, CA 94705 Reservations: 800-551-7266, refer to "Construction Specifications Institute" Rate: $199 + $8 resort fee and taxes Parking: $24 (Directions) Reserve by Nov. 5 Closest Airports: Oakland Airport (17 miles; 35 minutes); San Francisco Airport (27 miles; 42 minutes); San Jose Airport (45 miles; 1 hour) Information about this event will be posted here as it becomes available!

Documents

•	CSI Announces Second Meeting of the Building Product Manufacturers Alliance
•	Registration & Application Form for Dec. 8 Event (PDF)
•	BPMA Prospectus (PDF)
•	CSI Forms Building Product Manufacturers Alliance
•	BPMA Dec. 8 Event Agenda (PDF)

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V1 Magazine - A Sustainable Building Industry Requires Service-Based BIM

A Sustainable Building Industry Requires Service-Based BIM

Written by Louis Hecht

Monday, 17 November 2008

Similar to how investments in areas that both benefit our planet and our economy are gaining ground, the Open Geospatial Consortium is calling for key building industry players to make a relatively small investment of time and money with the potential for a huge pay-off. Working together to create a common vision and program for interoperability among their information systems will eliminate waste and increase profits. The McGraw-Hill Construction Outlook 2009 Industry Forecast and Trends demonstrates that waste in the $4.6 trillion global construction building industry has huge environmental as well as economic consequences. (Report Here) In 2004, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Construction Users Roundtable both issued reports that highlighted 30 percent waste in building projects, which translates to about $15 billion in waste for U.S. federal projects alone. (NIST Report , CURT Report) The American Institute of Architects reports that, "buildings and their construction account for nearly half of all the greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumed in this country each year.” (Report Here [PDF])

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Overview - Solibri

More cool BIM tools. I love 3D, 4D, 5D and all the other Ds in the BIM world.

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Solibri Model Checker™ is out of the box software solution (Patent Pending) that analyzes Building Information Models for integrity, quality and physical safety. The system offers easy-to-use visualization with an intuitive walk-in functionality. With a single mouse click, the system X-rays the building model and reveals potential flaws and weaknesses in the design, highlights the clashing components and checks that the model complies with the building codes and organization’s best practices.

Solibri Model Checker™ adds value throughout the life cycle of the building. It is extensively used a growing number of building owner and users, construction companies, architects and engineering firms. Solibri Model Checker™ is a valuable tool for

• Building owners checking designs against program requirements
• Architects and Engineers delivering cost-effectively high quality 3D building information models
• Construction companies obtaining reliable and up-to-date cost estimates
• Facilities Management FM operations for checking material life-cycle and maintainability

Please check out Solibri model checker Screenshots and Videos.

Contact us to arrange an on-site presentation, webmeeting presentation, or order a trial version of Solibri Model Checker.

Solibri Model Checker 4.2 Leaflet	Solibri Model Checker 4.2 Esite
Solibri Model Checker 4.1 Leaflet	Solibri Model Checker 4.1 Esite
Solibri Overview	Solibri Esite

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Revit: TopMod

A great post from http://autodesk-revit.blogspot.com/2008/10/topmod.html -
David, this is great stuff. Thanks for writing about it.

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Friday, October 17, 2008

TopMod

I visited a well known architectural practice this week who specialize in freeform organic architecture. They had asked me come in to present Revit Architecture 2009 to see how they may be able to incorporate into their workflow. However, in our discussions about software that they currently use they advised me to take a look at an application called TopMod. I wrote down the details and Googled it when I got home.

http://www.topmod3d.org/

This is an amazing application! As the website says "TopMod3d is a free, open source, portable, platform independent topological mesh modeling system that allows users to create high genus 2-manifold (watertight) meshes". I knocked this up in about 2 minutes!

Agreed its not Revit, but I would certainly recommend you take a look if you like creating organic forms within a computer environment. TopMod has limited export capabilities, but I was able to save the file in .obj format and was then able to import this into 3dsmax.

I then exported the form from Max as a DWG and was able it import it into a Revit mass family. This is only a mesh, so you won't be able to cut floor plates from the mesh.

Quick draft render in Revit......

Posted by David Light at 1:32 PM

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Autodesk Labs Utilities MEP Analysis Extension for AutoCAD MEP/Revit MEP

Technology Preview

The MEP Analysis Extension contains 25 simple "green" HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) utilities for sizing duct work, sizing piping, sizing HVAC equipment, calculating cooling and heating loads for commercial and residential buildings, calculating psychrometric properties of air, performing U-Value calculations, sizing electrical wire, and much more, all in the name of saving energy and the environment.

Although the original release was programmed to run through October 31, 2008, the technology preview of the Extension has now been updated to run through December 31, 2008. Your feedback helps us make better products and technology, and it plays an important role in determining the future of the Extension. Tell us what you think!

Download

Updated: October 31, 2008

Supported Applications

The installer installs a standalone executable. The utilities analyze data from the following applications:

• AutoCAD MEP 2009 // more
• Revit MEP 2009 // more

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Virtual Environment Software - Architect Design Software - IES

AU attendees, please stop by the IES booth #384. Everyone else, please start looking at this stuff. You'll be wanting it soon enough, so it's a good time to start educating yourself while things are slow in the month of December.

What our clients have to say

> Our Clients

> Our Testimonials

> Case Studies

IES offers building designers the choice to engage with our software at the level and in the way which is best for them:

• VE-Ware: Free energy and carbon analysis tool which makes basic performance analysis widely available to anyone;
• VE-Toolkits: mid-level tools that allow a variety of early stage sustainability energy, carbon, solar and daylight analyses to be undertaken at the touch of a few buttons;
• The full : a powerful integrated suite of highly detailed performance analysis tools.

IES has and will continue to expand the capabilities of its products and introduce different levels of interface to offer an analysis toolset that can be used throughout the whole design process; from concept to completion. We see performance analysis as having a big role to play in the design of green, high-performance buildings, and in the bridging of the 'information' gulf between architects and engineers.

Read more...